Saturated fats to be served in radical nutrition trial

Guilt-free servings of butter and white chocolate are on the menu for participants in a revolutionary clinical trial being conducted by HMRI nutrition researcher Professor Manohar Garg.

As a member of the University of Newcastle's Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Professor Garg is testing whether consuming
saturated fat in combination with omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood and fish
oil can be beneficial in lowering cholesterol and blood lipid levels,
particularly harmful triglyceride.

He is testing his theory by comparing blood lipids
in healthy individuals who consume saturated fats derived from butter and
chocolate with those given omega-6 fats originating from margarine and
sunflower seeds, with both groups receiving the same fish oil dosage.

As published recently in the journal Medical Hypothesis, Professor Garg has
undertaken laboratory modelling and preliminary clinical testing that supports
his notion that it is the quality of fat that is important in diets, not the
quantity.

"Omega-3 fatty acids are well known to reduce blood
lipids, particularly triglyceride levels, and by combining them with saturated
fat you allow the Omega-3 fats to do their job with optimum efficiency,"
Professor Garg said.

"Essentially it is because you've removed the
competitor, which is Omega-6 fatty acids found in vegetable oils."

The team wants to recruit people between the age of
18 and 60 with no history of heart problems or diabetes. They will be
randomised to go on the four-week diet rich in either saturated fat or
vegetable oil, with blood samples to be collected at the start and
finish of the intervention.

"We are very excited about this study. It has
immediate implications for public health so it's important we get the health message
right for the prevention of obesity, cardiovascular disease, insulin
resistance, diabetes and so on," Professor Garg said.

"It's a controversial hypothesis but once we have
the evidence it won't be any more. That's what we're trying to provide – the
evidence."